Q: I live in West Yellowstone Montana. I have a flower garden now but I have arthritis badly in my knees and it is hard to get down to work in the garden. Was thinking of using large plastic pots, that I could leave outside year round. Temperatures in the winter can get to -57°. Do you think the pot idea would work like the Square Foot Garden ?

A:  Brrr, that sounds cold. But here's an idea. Build a 6 inch deep SFG box with plywood bottoms on any size 4'x 4' or 3' x 3' or 2' x any length and locate them on top of a patio wall, deck railing, old table, saw horses, cement blocks, etc., for sit down gardening. Fill them with Mel's Mix (see our “How To” page), add a very visible grid (old Venetian blinds or wood lath that's painted white) and start gardening. Depending on the size of the boxes, move some of them indoors to the garage or shed. Near spring, start planting them while the weather outside it still too cold and the ground is frozen. Move them outdoors when sprouted and you're way ahead of your neighbors.

Build one or two this fall and try it next spring. If you didn't want to do the moving, just leave them outdoors all winter. They will warm up faster than the ground or large plastic pots. Besides, they will look better. See deck gardens on my column page for ideas..

Mel B.